I began law school proud of myself. Proud that I had "made it in". I wore my law student badge with honor. This now-humorous self-held honor continued after I passed my first year of law school. I had gone from "making it in" to "making it". First year is a critical test of who's got the stuff and who doesn't.
Fortunately, for the better of myself and those around me (mainly my wife!), I've moved on from these internal shananigans.
Law school is a safety net for those who think they're smart. Hypothetical questions are pondered to infinity (to my utmost disdain). Law school exams can be hard and taxing on the writing hand, but generally your client is an upstanding citizen and there's a clear legal result for them. You answer the question to get the highest grade.
Then there's the real world. Where your client has a criminal record, past medical injuries, and maybe even a child support arrearage. You client is broke and comes to your office in tears asking for a loan. Your heartstrings are pulled, but that pesky ethical rule says you have to say "No".
I'll finish school this December, pass the bar next February (fingers-crossed), and begin practicing law. The safety net will be gone. Honestly, I'm anxious to see it go.
Working for my father and a law firm has shown me that law school is the tip of the iceberg, and reality is the 90% you don't see that's underwater.
But be careful, reality is the bottom portion that can sink your legal career.
